MUMBAI: Formula One Administration Limited and BBC Sport has announced the return of Formula One (F1) to BBC Television.

The five-year deal will run from 2009 to 2013 and includes exclusive rights to TV, radio, full broadband and mobile.

BBC Sport director of sport rights Dominic Coles said, "The biggest motorsporting event in the world is returning home after 12 years.

"We were delighted when Bernie Ecclestone approached us about the return of F1 to the BBC. F1 is a crown jewel of sports broadcasting, so to bring the rights back to their traditional home from 2009 is tremendously exciting.

"Fans will be able to enjoy uninterrupted, state-of-the-art and innovative coverage from BBC Sport, across all of our TV, radio and new media platforms, for the first time since 1996."

Bernie Ecclestone said, "I am delighted to conclude this new deal with the BBC. It is an exciting time in Formula 1 and the BBC has some innovative new ideas to consolidate and expand our UK fan base."